Italy's right-wing government has presented a draft law that would prohibit students from covering their faces in schools and impose a cap on the number of foreign pupils in certain classrooms. The proposal, announced by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is scheduled to take effect in September 2027 and has already drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties.
The measure states that students may not participate in school activities “with their face covered or in any way that prevents identification.” Those who violate the rule could face fines of up to €1,000. While the text does not explicitly mention the Islamic burqa or niqab, Meloni made the connection clear when unveiling the plan, saying that in Italy “no one should force a girl to hide herself.”
The burqa covers the entire body including the face, while the niqab leaves only the eyes visible. Both are distinct from the hijab, which covers the hair and neck but leaves the face uncovered. Such garments are rare in Italy; press estimates suggest that only around 500 to 600 women wear them nationwide.
Limits on foreign students
The legislation also introduces a 30 per cent ceiling on certain foreign students in first-year classes. In primary schools, the cap applies to pupils who are not Italian citizens and were neither born in Italy nor attended at least two years of preschool. In secondary schools, it targets students who are not Italian citizens and have not completed at least three years of the Italian school system.
In areas with high concentrations of migrant communities, the measure could lead to children being transferred to the next-closest school. According to Italy's Education Ministry, more than 4,000 of the country's 52,392 schools already have over 30 per cent non-Italian students, mainly in the industrial north. Around 900,000 pupils in Italy do not hold Italian citizenship, although it is unclear how many would meet the additional criteria set out in the law.
The proposal also introduces a mandatory free Italian-language course for parents with limited proficiency, requiring them to reach A2 level—the equivalent of basic conversational ability. This provision is aimed at improving integration, but critics argue it places an unfair burden on migrant families.
Opposition backlash
Left-wing parties have strongly condemned the move. Elly Schlein, leader of the Democratic Party, called it “a new witch hunt targeting young children,” while the Five Star Movement described it as an “ideological stunt” that was “disgraceful and unworkable.”
The announcement comes as Meloni adopts a tougher stance on migration ahead of Italy's 2027 general election. Her coalition is also facing pressure from the growing popularity of the new far-right National Future (FN) party, led by former League MEP Roberto Vannacci. The move is widely seen as an attempt to shore up support among voters concerned about immigration and national identity.
Similar debates have surfaced elsewhere in Europe. In France, for instance, Catholic schools have faced backlash over a compulsory papal day, highlighting the ongoing tension between religious expression and secular norms in education. Meanwhile, the EU has been grappling with how to protect minors online, with new digital age limits proposed under the Kids Act—a reminder that balancing rights and protections in schools remains a continent-wide challenge.
Critics also point out that the law could disproportionately affect children who are already integrated into Italian society. Many foreign-born pupils have lived in Italy for years and speak Italian fluently, yet they would still be subject to the cap if they do not meet the citizenship or residency criteria. Education experts warn that transferring students could disrupt their learning and social networks, potentially harming their academic progress.
Supporters of the measure argue that it is necessary to preserve Italian culture and ensure that schools remain places of integration rather than segregation. They contend that requiring parents to learn Italian will help them participate more fully in their children's education and in society at large. The government has also framed the face-covering ban as a security measure, though no specific incidents have been cited as justification.
The bill must still pass through parliament, where Meloni's coalition holds a comfortable majority. However, the opposition has vowed to fight it, and legal challenges are likely. If enacted, Italy would join a small number of European countries that have imposed restrictions on face coverings in public institutions, though Italy's approach—combining a school ban with pupil quotas—is unique.
As the debate unfolds, the focus will be on how the law is implemented and whether it achieves its stated goals without alienating the very communities it aims to integrate. For now, the proposal has reignited a broader European conversation about identity, migration, and the role of schools in shaping the next generation.
